Don’t make antiquated health system even worse

Published: Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 08:00 AM.

Now that the government shutdown and debt ceiling matters have been temporarily resolved, the next several months will require Congress to address several important issues, one of which is ensuring that Medicare’s payments to physicians are not cut by nearly 25 percent next year. Congress has repeatedly acted to override these cuts-usually by “robbing Peter” (other health care providers and suppliers) to “pay Paul” (the cost of not allowing the cuts to occur).

Under the guise of reform, some policymakers in Washington want to make it more difficult for patients who need intensive rehabilitation that can only be provided in rehabilitation hospitals to get that care, by revisiting the so-called “60 percent Rule.” This policy requires hospitals like HealthSouth Hospital here in Panama City to treat a quota of at least 60 percent of all its patients who have medical diagnoses derived from a list of 13 medical categories, such as strokes, neurological impairments, hip fractures, and trauma cases. It is an antiquated rationing system that some are proposing to increase to 75 percent, which would make the effects even worse.

Shifting seniors and others away from rehabilitation hospitals simply because their diagnoses are not included on an outdated list of medical conditions is not “reform.” Thankfully, Congressman Steve Southerland recognizes this and recently signed a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius expressing concerns with this idea.

On behalf of our employees and the patients we serve, Congressman Southerland’s support is greatly appreciated. There are multiple alternatives available to achieve reform in our health care system, including within the rehabilitation hospital community, but reducing patients’ access to needed services simply because of their diagnoses is not one of them.

Now that the government shutdown and debt ceiling matters have been temporarily resolved, the next several months will require Congress to address several important issues, one of which is ensuring that Medicare’s payments to physicians are not cut by nearly 25 percent next year. Congress has repeatedly acted to override these cuts-usually by “robbing Peter” (other health care providers and suppliers) to “pay Paul” (the cost of not allowing the cuts to occur).

Under the guise of reform, some policymakers in Washington want to make it more difficult for patients who need intensive rehabilitation that can only be provided in rehabilitation hospitals to get that care, by revisiting the so-called “60 percent Rule.” This policy requires hospitals like HealthSouth Hospital here in Panama City to treat a quota of at least 60 percent of all its patients who have medical diagnoses derived from a list of 13 medical categories, such as strokes, neurological impairments, hip fractures, and trauma cases. It is an antiquated rationing system that some are proposing to increase to 75 percent, which would make the effects even worse.

Shifting seniors and others away from rehabilitation hospitals simply because their diagnoses are not included on an outdated list of medical conditions is not “reform.” Thankfully, Congressman Steve Southerland recognizes this and recently signed a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius expressing concerns with this idea.

On behalf of our employees and the patients we serve, Congressman Southerland’s support is greatly appreciated. There are multiple alternatives available to achieve reform in our health care system, including within the rehabilitation hospital community, but reducing patients’ access to needed services simply because of their diagnoses is not one of them.